Neisseria gonorrhoeae is capable of causing gonorrhoea and more complex diseases in the human host. Neisseria meningitidis is a closely related pathogen that shares many of the same genomic features and virulence factors, but causes the life threatening diseases meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia. The importance of non-coding RNAs in gene regulation has become increasingly evident having been demonstrated to be involved in regulons responsible for iron acquisition, antigenic variation, and virulence. Neisseria spp. contain an IS-like element, the Correia Repeat Enclosed Element, which has been predicted to be mobile within the genomes or to have been in the past. This repeat, present in over 100 copies in the genome, has the ability to alter gene expression and regulation in several ways. We reveal here that Correia Repeat Enclosed Elements tend to be near non-coding RNAs in the Neisseria spp., especially N. gonorrhoeae. These results suggest that Correia Repeat Enclosed Elements may have disrupted ancestral regulatory networks not just through their influence on regulatory proteins but also for non-coding RNAs.

Objective: To access the reasons that are the driving force for joining the medical field, whether willingly, by parents' wish, or because clinicians are the role models and the career choice of the medical students, Methods: This cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted at Jinnah Medical & Dental College and Dow University, Karachi, from May 2018 to November 2018. All the undergraduate medical (MBBS) students were randomly selected, choosing 40 students from each class in an equal number according to gender (20 female students and 20 male students), first to final years from both of the colleges. Consent to participation was obtained verbally from all of the individuals. A questioner was structured regarding demographic information along with reasons for choosing the medical profession and specialty choice for a future career. All the information was collected by using the questioner based self-made study proforma. Results: A total of 400 students were studied. The majority of the students 59.6% were aged 20–22 years, while 40.5% were 23–26 years old. According to the reasons for choosing the medical profession, 37.0% were due to personal interest and parental wishes, 6.8% said their parents are doctors and they are following them, 28.5% students choose the medical profession to serve humanity, 10.5% chose it for high income, 10.3% followed it as a role model, and 7.0% had multiple other reasons. Most common career choices were 26.5% medicine, 30.0% surgery, 5.3% gynaecology, and 7.5% public health, while 8.0% of students still had not decided. Reasons for choosing the medical profession were statistically significant according to age and gender (p = 0.001). Conclusion: The choice of medical education in Pakistan is still affected by stereotypes thoughts with typical eastern influences. Parental wish is a strong and prevailing factor, followed by to serve humanity. Lack of career counselling and guidelines results in the health industry losing many future doctors every year, as well as loss of potential resources for their training. Keywords: Factors, medical profession, gender, career choice

Aim: Frequency of cervical cancer in women of reproductive age presenting with abnormal vaginal bleeding. Methodology: Descriptive cross sectional study, done at Department of Obs &Gynae, JPMC, Karachi Duration of study: Six months from 01-11-2014 to 30-04-2015 Total 73 patients of age 18-45 years, having history of abnormal vaginal bleeding > 3 menstrual cycles were selected. Pregnant woman, abortion within last 6 months, age >45 years, fibroid/ tumors/ polyps, PID, gonorrhea, or Chlamydia patients were excluded. Chi-square was used as test of significance with a P value <0.05 taken as significant. Results: Mean ± SD age was 38.12 ± 4.33 years. Mean ± SD parity was 2.21 ± 1.67 children (Range: 0-5). Mean ± SD duration of presenting symptoms was 7.45 ± 2.81 months (Range 3-11). About one fifth of patients (i.e. 19.2%) were of age between 18-25 years. a vast majority (i-e; 43.8%) were in 26-35 years age category while remaining (36.99%) patients were of age between 36-45 years. 12.3% women had no children, 35.6% had 1-2 children, 28.8% had 3-4 children while remaining 23.3% women had 5 children. 12 out of 73 (16.4%) women had cervical cancer confirmed through biopsy and histopathology of cervical tissue. Age was significant (P value = 0.003) while parity & duration of presenting symptoms were non-significant (P values = 0.110 & 0.405 respectively). Conclusion: The study found that almost every 6th women with abnormal vaginal bleeding is suffering from cervical cancer. Younger age women and those having lesser parity are less prone to this condition. Keywords: Abnormal vaginal bleeding, Cervical cancer, Postcoital bleeding

Objective: Determine the frequency of hypothyroidism in recurrent pregnancy loss. Study Design: This is cross sectional. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at Obstetrics and Gynaecology department of Dow Medical University & Hospital, Ojha Campus, Karachi, from 7th July 2018 to 6th July 2019. Methodology: This study was conducted on 83 patients. Detailed history was taken from all the patients with special regard to demographics like age, parity and recurrent pregnancy loss. A 3 ml venous blood was drawn by the staff on duty and sent to institutional laboratory for TSH and free T4 level. TSH values more than 4.5 μIU/L and normal free T4 level (0.7 to 1, 8 ng/ml) were considered as hypothyroidism. All pregnant female was between age 20-35 years with > 6 months gestational age and history of parity 3 and gravida 4 were included in the study. Exclusion criteria were known case of hypothyroidism or history of taking medication for hypothyroidism, history of Hypertension and DM. Results: This study was conducted on 83 patients. There was wide variation of age ranging from a minimum of 20 years to 35 years. The mean age was 28.4+ 4.49 years. Mostly patients were parity 3 and gravid 4 in 55(66.26%) cases followed by parity 4 and gravid 4 in 28(33.73%) cases. Gestational age was measured on ultrasound ranging from 8 weeks to 22 weeks. The mean gestational age was 14.20+4.71 years. Patient's thyroid profile mean Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level was 2.39+1.66 mU/L, mean free T4 was 17.23+6.41 nmol/L and mean free T3 was 4.87+1.18 μmol/L. Observed hypothyroidism was in 11(13.3%) cases while rest of 72(86.7%) cases within normal range. Conclusion: We concluded that hypothyroidism is problem in recurrent pregnancy loss. 11(13.3%) cases Frequency of hypothyroidism in women with pregnancy, the possible role of thyroid functional disorders in etiology of at least some part of recurrent pregnancy loss, had emphasized the importance of thyroid functions tests screening as routine in all pregnancies. Keywords: Thyroid disease, Pregnancy outcome, Hypothyroidism.